After more than six years, Rihanna is back with “Lift Me Up,” her first brand-new single.
“Lift Me Up” is Rihanna’s first new song since she released Anti in 2016 and it is made for the much awaited Marvel Cinematic Universe sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She collaborated with PartyNextDoor on the song “Believe It” for his 2020 album Partymobile, however this is actually her first appearance on a song since then.
Before it arrived, Tems, a co-writer of “Lift Me Up,” provided some information. Tems said, “I wanted to write something that portrays a warm embrace from all the people that I’ve lost in my life,” adding that it’s a tribute to late Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman. “After speaking with Ryan [Coogler, director/co-writer] and hearing his direction for the film and the song, I wanted to write something,” Tems said. “I tried to imagine what it would feel like if I could sing to them now and express how much I miss them. Rihanna has been an inspiration to me so hearing her convey this song is a great honor.”
To say that Rihanna’s return to music has been eagerly anticipated would be an understatement. She has undoubtedly been very busy with her Fenty Beauty line and gave birth to her first child with ASAP Rocky in May. Below, you can hear “Lift Me Up” from Wakanda Forever.